shelf

[ shelf ]

noun

, plural shelves [shelvz].

1. a thin slab of wood, metal, etc., fixed horizontally to a wall or in a frame, for supporting objects.
2. the contents of this:

   a shelf of books.

3. a surface or projection resembling this; ledge.
4. Physical Geography.
   1. a sandbank or submerged extent of rock in the sea or river.
   2. the bedrock underlying an alluvial deposit or the like.
   3. continental shelf.
5. Archery. the upper part of the bow hand, on which the arrow rests.

shelf

/ ʃɛlf /

noun

1. a thin flat plank of wood, metal, etc, fixed horizontally against a wall, etc, for the purpose of supporting objects
2. something resembling this in shape or function
3. the objects placed on a shelf, regarded collectively

   a shelf of books

4. a projecting layer of ice, rock, etc, on land or in the sea See also continental shelf
5. mining a layer of bedrock hit when sinking a shaft
6. archery the part of the hand on which an arrow rests when the bow is grasped
7. See off the shelf
8. on the shelf
   put aside or abandoned: used esp of unmarried women considered to be past the age of marriage

verb

1. slang.
   tr to inform upon

shelf

/ shĕlf /

1. See continental shelf

Derived Forms

• ˈshelfˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• shelflike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shelf¹

1350–1400; Middle English; Old English scylfe; akin to Low German schelf shelf, Old Norse -skjalf bench

Word History and Origins

Origin of shelf¹

Old English scylfe ship's deck; related to Middle Low German schelf shelf, Old English scylf crag

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. off the shelf, readily available from merchandise in stock:

   Any of those parts can be purchased off the shelf.

2. on the shelf, Informal.
   1. put aside temporarily; postponed.
   2. inactive; useless.
   3. without prospects of marriage, as after having broken an engagement.

More idioms and phrases containing shelf

see off the shelf ; on the shelf .

Example Sentences

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has pulled his new children's book from the shelves after complaints that it stereotyped Indigenous Australians.

From BBC

Since 2014, expensive and complex varieties of cheese from countries that were not previously known for their cheese have appeared on shop shelves, such as Belarusian camembert and parmesan.

From BBC

"The business case is there, it's not new technology, it's old technology - we can buy it of the shelf," said Prof Middleburgh.

From BBC

The “few retailers” that received the products are aware of the possible listeria contamination and are in the process of removing products from their store shelves, the announcement clarified.

From Salon

Mr Puri however hopes his museum will eventually have its shelves wiped bare.

From BBC

Related Words

• counter
• cupboard
• ledge
• rack